filed under: maintenance best practices
Solutions to trash on trails
Trash belongs in garbage cans, dumpsters, and landfills. It does not belong in parking lots, along roadsides, in school yards, or on lawns. But for some reason, it’s especially offensive when found along a nature trail. Would you want to walk on a trail filled with empty water bottles and crumpled pieces of trash? The answer to this is likely no.
While some hikers intentionally litter, others attempt to remove it as they wander the trails. Some even head out on the trails with the sole purpose of gathering trash to beautify nature. Saving animals from ingesting litter or otherwise becoming harmed is another reasons to pick up trash along trails.
Here are a few program examples from throughout the country:
One of the leaders in the movement to keep trash from nature trails is The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, a national organization that protects the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly. The Center accomplishes this mission by delivering cutting-edge education and research to millions of people across the country every year.
Many areas have Adopt-a-Trail programs where by volunteering time one can help keep a trail clean and safe. Here area two examples of adoption programs:
The Des Moines River Water Trail annual River Run Garbage Grab is held every August, boasting over 350 volunteers spread out along various stretches of the water trail as well as the shoreline cleaning up the river and improving water quality. Following the event, a celebration of the river takes place at Simon Estes Outdoor Amphitheater with live music, food, prizes and fun for all the hardworking volunteers. This event is made possible with partnerships among government agencies, clubs and organizations, as well as corporate sponsorship's.
Volunteer stewardship is a vital part of keeping our public lands maintained, safe, and accessible for visitors. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) often partners with local communities and nonprofit organizations to carry out these important stewardship projects.
In May 2015, a group of volunteers backpacked 25 miles of the Lost Coast Trail in King Range National Conservation Area - a part of the BLM’s National Conservation Lands - to help repair and maintain the trail. Volunteers cleared brush from the sides of the trail, removed ocean trash from the beach, pulled invasive non-native plants, cleaned and dismantled campfire rings, and dismantled driftwood shacks that have been built along the trail.
Practice responsible hiking or walking - you can make a difference by just picking up one piece of litter!
Over the last two years, Mike has picked up well over 200 bags of trash and he continues to monitor the area around Jacob’s Ladder in Waco.
Published February 2011
Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona Crew Leader Manual
This manual has been written to aid crew leaders working with trail work volunteers. It assumes the following priorities, in order of importance, for every volunteer trail work event: 1) Safety, 2) Enjoyment, 3) Quality product, 4) Productivity.
Colorado Trail Foundation Crew Leader Handbook
As a crew leader you represent the CTF. One of your main jobs is to convey the CTF’s thanks to the volunteers for their commitment to making and preserving The Colorado Trail as a national treasure.
Appalachian Mountain Club 2022 Outdoor Leader Handbook
Outdoor leadership skills can be developed and improved over time through a combination of self-study, formal training and experience. Leadership trainings are offered frequently by volunteers and staff of the AMC. The trainings range from a single day to a weekend. If you are looking for additional training, the AMC offers several courses each season through the Guided Outdoors program.
A Call for Expanding Trails Research
Trails research can help support trail management decision-making and funding by providing objective, quantitative information describing trail users, their numbers and demographics, preferences, and economic expenditures.
